Screening times:
Saturday, March 7, 6:00 PM - filmmakers attending!
Elizabeth Vibert, Chen Wang | Canada | 2025 | 62m
Director and historian Elizabeth Vibert has been working on a collaborative oral history project with Palestinian miller Aisha Azzam and community members in Baqa’a refugee camp, Jordan, since 2018. Aisha’s Story is the product of this relationship. Elizabeth co-wrote and produced the award-winning documentary The Thinking Garden (2017; dir. Christine Welsh) and is working on films with Indigenous communities in Canada and Colombia.
Cinematographer and co-director Chen Wang’s award-winning photography provides intimate insight into the life of a Palestinian family in exile. Chen has worked on many documentary, short, and feature films. He grew up in China and is based in Victoria, BC.
Co-producer Salam Barakat Guenette grew up in a Palestinian family in exile in Jordan. She is an historian and civil servant whose research interests are in the intersections rather than ‘clash’ of cultures.
For more information: aishasstory.com/ @aishasstoryfilm
Liz Vibert
Salam Barakat Guenette
Chen Wang
“Food is the most precious part of Palestinian heritage.”
Aisha Azzam and her husband started their family grain mill in Baqa’a refugee camp, Jordan, nearly 40 years ago. She treasures her role in safeguarding culture by milling the grains and herbs essential to Palestinian cuisine.
Through food, Aisha traces the story of Palestinian displacement and rebuilding family and community in exile. Harvesting, milling, cooking, and feasts ground the film’s arc of displacement, longing, steadfastness and resistance.
In Aisha’s words, “Food is what keeps us together as Palestinians.”
Aisha’s Story intimately captures the loss, beauty, and resistance that define Palestinian lives.
“I love how Aisha and her family get to tell their own story, and how the film shows what kept us intact in diaspora – a loving father, a strong resilient mother, and a communal meal from the homeland.” - Jinan Sawahreh, educator and chef, Jerusalem
“I’ve never seen such a grounded and heartfelt depiction of belonging through food … As a documentary filmmaker, this was a masterclass.” - Reviewer of DOXA screening
Winner: Audience Award - Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, 2025
Best Feature Documentary - Toronto Women Film Festival, 2025
Tickets $12 ($11.40 at the door if available)
